Keynote Speaker 

Juha Hyyppa

Finnish Geospatial Research Institute, Department of Remote Sensing and Photogrammetry

Juha Hyyppä is Professor and Head of Department at the Finnish Geospatial Research Institute, which specializes in geodesy and geospatial information science and technology. Hyyppä's research interests include remote sensing of forests, mobile mapping/mobile laser scanning, drone remote sensing and AI data processing. He likes to use new disruptive technologies for new remote sensing applications, with forestry, road pavement quality, forest road quality and corridor mapping currently his major interests. He serves as vice-captain of the Finnish forestry flagship UNITE (2020-2028) and previously was director of the Centre of Excellence in Laser Scanning Research. Hyyppä earned his doctorate in electrical engineering from the Helsinki University of Technology (current Aalto university) and has published 600+ scientific papers; he has also co-founded several start-ups. 

featured speakers

Leslie Boby

Director, Southern Regional Extension Forestry, University of Georgia

As Southern Regional Extension Forestry director, Leslie Boby facilitates communication, collaboration and regional work across the southern forestry community, working with Extension foresters, state forestry agencies and other partners. Working as a networker means that she knows a little bit about a lot of forestry-related topics with a few key focus areas including forestry markets to prescribed fire and education of forestry professionals and landowners. She is the lead author of the Guidebook for Prescribed Burning in the Southern Region. Her background includes a Doctorate of Education in Adult Learning, Leadership & Organizational Development from the University of Georgia, a master's degree in forest ecology from the University of Florida and a bachelor's degree in plant biology from the University of Illinois.

David Coomes 

Professor, Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge

David Coomes is professor of forest ecology and conservation at the University of Cambridge and director of the Centre for Landscape Regeneration. His interests lie in evidence-based conservation and landscape restoration worldwide. His research combines large ecological datasets, high‑resolution remote sensing and AI to investigate how forests respond to logging, land‑use change and climate change, with an emphasis on biodiversity conservation and carbon dynamics. Coomes collaborates closely with computer scientists to develop systems for assessing carbon credits and advancing geospatial foundation models.  

Paul Cooper

Chief Operating Officer, Arbor Day Foundation

Paul Cooper is Chief Operating Officer at the Arbor Day Foundation, where he helps define and execute the organization's strategy to increase the scale and predictability of impact. He joined the foundation more than five years ago, first serving as Chief Information Officer with a focus on modernizing technology, data stewardship and delivery capabilities. Today, he brings a cross-functional lens to operationalizing innovation—connecting emerging digital tools to real-world adoption through clear governance, practical change management and data-informed decision making.

Jinha Jung 

Associate Professor, School of Civil and Construction Engineering, Purdue University

Jinha Jung received his PhD in Geomatics – Civil Engineering, specializing in Computational Science and Engineering, from Purdue University in 2011. He worked as a postdoctoral research associate at the University of Illinois at Chicago and Purdue. Prior to joining Purdue as a faculty member, he served as a faculty member at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. Jung is noted for his work in 1) the development of UAS-based High Throughput Phenotyping system for agriculture applications, 2) developing algorithms to process UAS data for feature extraction, 3) data fusion of hyperspectral and full-waveform LiDAR data, 4) vegetation structural analysis using LiDAR data, 5) high-performance computing for advanced remote sensing algorithm development and 6) WebGIS software development using Free and Open Source Software (FOSS). 

Carlos alberto silva

Associate Professor of Quantitative Forest Science, University of Florida

Carlos Alberto Silva is an associate professor of quantitative forest science at the University of Florida, where his research focuses on advancing the understanding of forest ecosystem dynamics through the integration of remote sensing, artificial intelligence and quantitative analysis. His work leverages LiDAR data from terrestrial, airborne and satellite platforms (e.g., GEDI, ICESat-2), combined with optical and radar imagery, to quantify forest structure, monitor aboveground biomass, and assess the impacts of disturbances such as fire and hurricanes. Silva develops innovative statistical models and open-source tools, including rGEDI, TreeTop, rLiDAR, ForestGapR and ICESat2VegR, supporting scientists and land managers worldwide. He is actively involved in NASA’s Carbon Monitoring System and ICESat-2 Science Teams. He has also led multiple projects funded by NASA, the NSF and the USDA Forest Service.  

Youngkeun Song 

Professor, Graduate School of Environment, Seoul National University

Youngkeun Song is a professor at the Graduate School of Environment, Seoul National University, Republic of Korea, where he has been serving since 2015. He received his BS in Landscape Architecture from Seoul National University in 2005, and his MS (2008) and PhD (2012) in Environmental Management from Kyoto University, Japan. Song has led over 30 national and public research and development projects, published more than 70 peer-reviewed papers and holds over 20 patents. His research focuses on integrating advanced geospatial technologies such as LiDAR and remote sensing with environmental planning to address challenges in urban ecosystem services, conservation planning and ecological restoration.

Ge Sun 

Supervisory Research Hydrologist and Director of the Eastern Forest Environmental Threat Assessment Center, US Forest Service  

Ge Sun is Supervisory Research Hydrologist and director of the Eastern Forest Environmental Threat Assessment Center at the U.S. Forest Service. Sun's research focuses on effects of forest management, wildland fires and urbanization on water quantity and quality using various research techniques including eddy flux towers, paired watershed experiments and integrated simulation modeling. Currently, he leads studies for improving the Forests to Faucet assessment tool that quantifies benefits of U.S. forest lands to drinking water supplies. He has published over 400 peer-reviewed journal papers on forest-water relations and global change. He is recipient of the U.S. Forest Service Chief’s Distinguished Science Award and the International Union of Forest Research Organization's Scientific Achievement Award. Sun holds a PhD in forest hydrology and watershed management from the University of Florida.

Become a conference sponsor and connect with an audience of diverse interests and expertise, from forest management and conservation to computer science, engineering, design and more. Sponsor benefits include conference admission, listing in the conference program and engaging with conference attendees during exhibit times. 

Register as a sponsor Now!

Sponsorship Levels and Benefits

starter - $500

• Sponsor name listed on website
• Sponsor logo on website

Bronze - $1,000

• Sponsor name listed on website
• Sponsor logo on website
• Sponsor link on website
• One (1) registration to conference*

Silver - $2,000

• Sponsor name listed on websiteSponsor logo on website
• Sponsor link on website
• One (1) registration to conference*
• Two (2) additional benefits (listed below)

Gold - $3,000

• Sponsor name listed on website
• Sponsor logo on website
• Sponsor link on website
• One (1) registration to conference*
• Three (3) additional benefits (listed below)

Platinum - $5,000

• Sponsor name listed on website
• Sponsor logo on website
• Sponsor link on website
• Three (3) registrations to conference*
• Exhibitor table**
• Logo projected at conference
• Acknowledgment in conference communications
• Provide gift or pamphlet to attendees (cost of items not included)

* Complimentary registrations provide conference access and vary in number by sponsorship level. This event may sell out; if additional staff from your organization wish to attend, please register them separately online prior to the event.

** Exhibitor table includes one 10-foot space with 8-foot table, two chairs, table linens and access to power.

Additional Benefits for Silver and Gold sponsors

• Exhibitor table
• One (1) additional registration
• One (1) additional registration
• Logo projected at conference
• Acknowledgment in conference communications
• Provide gift or brochure to attendees (cost of item not included)

Silver sponsors choose 2 additional benefits. Gold sponsors choose 3 additional benefits.

Yes, I want to Be a Conference sponsor

Attendee Registration Cost

• Regular - $350
• Student - $250

Space is limited, so register soon!

See the Sponsorship section below for information about sponsoring and exhibiting at the conference. 

Core themes

The core themes we'll be exploring throughout the conference are:

• Global Trends in Digital Forestry: Advances in remote sensing and other data collection methods deliver accurate, precise results at speed, helping improve how the world’s forests are managed and cared for
• Digital Tools in Practice: Mobile LiDAR systems, digital twins, robotics and AI-driven tools enhance wildfire prevention, disease and pest detection, and data-driven decision making
• Shaping the Future of Digital Forestry: The next major step in digital forestry: operationalizing the approach through policy, standards and workforce development

Schedule-at-a-Glance

Details subject to change. A final schedule will be posted prior to the conference. All events take place at Purdue Memorial Union unless otherwise noted.

Wednesday, June 3

5:30-7 p.m.    Networking reception with heavy hors d'oeuvres 

Thursday, June 4

8-9 a.m.    Registration and breakfast (provided)

9-10:15 a.m.    Welcome and Opening Keynote

10:30-11:30 a.m.    Parallel sessions (Location: Stewart Center, next door to PMU)

11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.    Lunch (provided)

1-2 p.m.    Featured Talks on Advances in Remote Sensing for Forest Management (plenary session)

2:15-4 p.m.    Poster Session, Exhibitor Tables, Tech Demo

4-5 p.m.    Parallel sessions (Location: Stewart Center, next door to PMU)

5-6:30 p.m.    Break

6:30-8 p.m.    Dinner (provided)

Friday, June 5

 7:30-9 a.m.    Breakfast (provided) & Exhibitor Tables 

9-10:15 a.m.    Panel Discussion

10:30-11:30 a.m.    Parallel Sessions (Location: Stewart Center, next door to PMU)

11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.   Lunch (provided) & Exhibitor Tables

1-2 p.m.    Featured Talks on Digital Twins and Decision-Support Systems (plenary session)

2-2:15 p.m.    Awards and Conference Closing

Venue

The conference will be held at Purdue Memorial Union on the Purdue University campus in West Lafayette, Indiana.

Purdue Memorial Union 
101 Grant St. 
West Lafayette, IN 47906 

Some parallel sessions will take place at the Stewart Center, which is located next door to Purdue Memorial Union.       

Airports

• Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) – Approximately 3-hour drive to West Lafayette

• Indianapolis International Airport (IND) – Approximately 1-hour drive to West Lafayette

• Purdue University Airport (LAF) – United Express operates connecting flights from O’Hare to to Purdue. See the Purdue University Airport website for flight information, transportation and other details.

Ground Transportation

Two airport shuttle services connect Purdue with Chicago and Indianapolis. Shuttles run from ORD and IND to Purdue, with stops at several Lafayette/ West Lafayette hotels. See websites for schedules and pricing:

• Lafayette Limo
• Reindeer Shuttle

Rental cars are also available at both airports.

Lodging

A conference rate is available for a limited number of rooms at these hotels: 

• The Union Club Hotel at Purdue University, Autograph Collection 
  201 Grant Street, West Lafayette, IN 47906 
  1-765-494-8922
  Conference Booking Link
  Must book by May 4 for conference pricing

• Hilton Garden Inn West Lafayette Wabash Landing 
  365 East State Street, West Lafayette, IN 47906 
  1-765-743-2100 
  Conference Booking Link - Use Group Code 90W 
  Must book by May 13 for conference pricing

• Hampton Inn & Suites West Lafayette
  160 Tapawingo Dr, West Lafayette, IN 47906
  1-765-269-8000
  Conference Booking Link
  Must book by May 3 for conference pricing

Other hotel options may be searched at https://www.homeofpurdue.com/hotels/.

Parking

Grant Street Parking Garage – Located across the street from the Union Club Hotel. $10 per 24 hour period.

If you are in need of accommodations to attend this program, please contact the Conference Organizing Committee prior to the conference at digitalforestry@purdue.edu by April 30, 2026. 

Please indicate any special dietary needs on the conference registration form. For questions or more information about dietary accommodations, please contact the Conference Organizing team at digitalforestry@purdue.edu by April 30, 2026.